2025-26 SEASON SUBSCRIPTION! The Ohio Valley Symphony

BUY NOW! (click here)
EXISTING Subscribers who wish to keep their current seats and NEW Subscribers download order form here and mail, or call the Box Office and leave a message.

The 2024-25 Ohio Valley Symphony season is almost upon us. Mark your calendars now and get your season tickets so you can experience the magic of music at every single one.

Internationally noted conductor, François López-Ferrer will be back on the Ariel Opera House stage as he leads the OVS through Double Delight on September 13 with Cincinnati Symphony’s principal cellist, Ilya Finkleshteyn  performing Brahms Double Concerto for violin and cello along with his violinist wife Evin Blomberg also a member of the CSO. The OVS will also perform Shostakovich’s cheeky and charming Symphony No. 9.

Join us Nov. 1 for All Hallows’ Eve when Matthew Troy leads us in a musical celebration of All Saints Day with Wendel’s Ride of the Headless Horseman, Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette and Khachaturian’s Masquerade Suite and Borodin’s Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances as part of an evening of musical tricks and treats. Pianist Michael Chertock returns for Liszt’s Totentanz.

ROMANTIC SPRING, The Ohio Valley Symphony

April 26, 2025
at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

Max Bruch’s Concerto for Clarinet and Viola will feature two OVS members, Laura Sabo on clarinet and Bernard Di Gregorio on viola, in Romantic Spring. Maestro Scott Woodward leads the orchestra in African-American composer William Grant Still’s Woodnotes, Howard Hansen’s Symphony No. 2, the “Romantic,” and other selections.

Dr. Scott E. Woodard, conductor
Dr. Scott E. Woodard was born in Huntington, WV and is proud to be a life-long West Virginian. He is the Music Director of the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra in Hamilton, Ohio, the Founding Music Director of the West Virginia State Philharmonic Orchestra of Charleston, WV, the Principal Guest Conductor of the Rimini Chamber Orchestra in Rimini, Italy, and the former Cover Conductor of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. His primary teachers were Dr. Leonid Korchmar of the St. Petersburg State Conservatory of Music and the Mariinsky Theatre and Dr. Oleg Proskuryna. Scott is the recipient of First Prizes at the International Conductor’s Workshop Competition (Macon, GA) and the International Academy of Advanced Conducting (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation).

2025 Gallipolis River Rec Pageants

In association with the Gallia County Chamber of Commence…

JUNE 7, 2025
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

LITTLE MISS/MR. PAGEANT
Pageant at 1:00 pm, ticket prices $7-$10, doors open at 8:30pm

GALLIPOLIS RIVER REC QUEEN PAGEANT
Pageant at 6:00 pm, ticket prices $10-$18, doors open at 5:30pm

Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of Gallia County youth and purchase your tickets today!

Helping contestants to grow their self-confidence while preparing them for their future what the Chamber’s River Rec program is all about. Our Royalty will have the opportunity to represent Gallia County while visiting fairs and festivals; all while learning social and public speaking skills.

VIP seats are available for Rows A-F.
This is a Gallia Co. Chamber of Commerce production.

For more information visit the River Rec Pageants website.

Be sure to visit the local Gallipolis sponsors of this fantastic community event!
Baskets Delight • El Toril Mexican Restaurant
God’s Hands at Work • J&J Gowns and Tuxedos
University of Rio Grande

Only bottled water is permitted in the historic auditorium, no food or other beverages.

DOUBLE DELIGHT, The Ohio Valley Symphony

September 13, 2025
at 7:30 p.m.
CLICK TO BUY TICKETS NOW!

Internationally noted conductor, François López-Ferrer will be back on the Ariel Opera House stage as he leads the OVS through Double Delight on September 13 with Cincinnati Symphony’s principal cellist, Ilya Finkleshteyn  performing Brahms Double Concerto for violin and cello along with his violinist wife Evin Blomberg also a member of the CSO. The OVS will also perform Shostakovich’s cheeky and charming Symphony No. 9.

François López-Ferrer, conductor
Spanish-American conductor François López-Ferrer currently serves as Resident Conductor of the Académie of the Opéra de Paris. Former Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and May Festival, and a 2021-22’ Dudamel Fellow with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, López-Ferrer stepped in for Louis Langrée with the CSO in January of 2022 for the US premiere of Mark Simpson’s Violin Concerto with Nicola Benedetti to great critical acclaim.

Dr. Mel Simón, In Memoriam

Dr. Mel P. Simon, Age 89 of Gallipolis, Ohio Passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025, in Evanston, Illinois, surrounded by his loving family.

A Life Well-Lived

Dr. Mel P. Simon was born on October 29, 1935, in Angadanon, Isabela, Philippines, to Lucrecia Palatao Simon and Melecio G. Simon. He was the eight of twelve children.

During his last year in medical school, he met his Valentine sweetheart, Lydia Sarzaba, a young nurse who would become the love of his life. In 1959, when Dr. Simon traveled to the United States for medical training, he arranged to be on Lydia’s flight, knowing that she was also heading to the U.S. for a position at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. They married that same year and soon arranged to work at the same hospital. (Click “Read More” below to read Dr. Simon’s obituary)

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Mel’s name to:
Ariel Opera House
www.arieloperahouse.org
Ohio Valley Symphony
PO Box 424 Gallipolis, OH 45631

Gallia All-County Elementary Choir

March 28, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION No ticket needed

Join the historic Ariel Opera House in welcoming to the stage the Gallia All-County Elementary Choir.

Music director Beth Fowble will lead students from Addaville Elementary, Green Elementary, Hannan Trace Elementary, Ohio Valley Christian School, Rio Grande Elementary, Southwestern Elementary, Vinton Elementary, Washington Elementary, and area Homeschools.

Enjoy selection several selections including A Million Dreams, Siyahamba, September, and more!

Door open 6:00 p.m. Performance starts at 4:00. No food or drinks permitted in the auditorium.

Sponsored by the Ariel Opera House, Tuscany Italian Restaurant, and Gallia Vinton ESC.

DARING DANCES, The Ohio Valley Symphony

March 15, 2025
at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!

Daring Dances will move you with a selection of dazzling dance music under the baton of conductor Michael Chertock leading the OVS through Ravel’s La Valse and Bolero. Even more dazzling, Michael will also be the piano soloist on Leroy Anderson’s Piano Concerto. Talk about multi-tasking! This concert is sponsored In Memory of Clare E. Gettles.

Michael Chertock, conductor & pianist
Conductor and pianist Michael Chertock has fashioned a successful career as an orchestral soloist, collaborating with conductors such as James Conlon, Jaime Laredo, and Keith Lockhart.

His orchestral appearances include solo performances with, among others, The Philadelphia Orchestra, l’Orchestre Symphonique du Montreal, the Toronto Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the Naples Philharmonic, the Dayton Philharmonic, and The Ohio Valley Symphony. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1999 with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, performing Duke Ellington’s New World A’Comin’.

Michael first performed publicly at the age of 11 and by age 17, he performed the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 with Andrew Litton. He has garnered numerous awards at major competitions, among them the top prize in the 1989 Joanna Hodges Int’l Piano Competition (Brahms Division) and the grand prize in the 1993 St. Charles International Piano Competition.

Ariel’s Merry TUBACHRISTMAS 2024

Join the fun at the ARIEL’S MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS!
December 14, 2024 at 2 pm
FREE CONCERT!

MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS is celebrating its 51st Anniversary (1974-2024). Created by Harvey Phillips, MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS 2024 will be presented in over 300 cities throughout the United States and in several foreign countries. TUBACHRISTMAS ensembles may attract participants aged 8 to over 90 years! The warm, rich organ-like sound of tuba-euphonium choir has won the ears and hearts of every audience!

Come and Listen 100% FREE!
TUBACHRISTMAS is 100% FREE for audience members who just want to come into our hall and experience the event. No tickets are necessary. It’s sure to be loads of fun, and will get you in the Christmas Spirit! Always the second Saturday in December at 2 pm.

-OR-
Join in the Fun and PLAY ALONG!

Pre-Register to Participate Today!

Bring your Tuba, Baritone, Euphonium, or other big brass buddy and join in the fun at the Ariel Theatre! Participants pay  $10 to participate and will receive a 2024 commemorative button! Plus there are lots of souvenirs and music books available for purchase! Register at the door, or save time and Pre-Register here and we’ll have everything ready for you when you arrive!

Registration begins at 10:30am ~ Rehearsal begins at 11:00am